B.A. Johnston — 'Hamilton's grandmother' — lovingly celebrates the city in new season of YouTube show
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Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was the new season of B.A. Johnston's Ham Jam a "love letter" to Hamilton, "the greatest city in the world... greater than Rome."
That's how Hamilton musician B.A. Johnston describes the second season of his show, which launched on YouTube Thursday.
It's been six years since the first season, which included episodes on sub sandwiches, arcades and waterfalls. The new season tackles topics including the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, gentrification and classic dining spots.
Featuring candid interviews and scenes around the city, the comedy documentary is reminiscent of the Rick Mercer Report — if Rick Mercer really hated the Toronto Argonauts.
Johnston is known for his funny, folksy songs about falling in love at Jackson Square Mall, working a crappy job, running into an ex at Swiss Chalet and going to a Tiger-Cats game with Jesus Christ.
Like his music, the show balances sincerity with tongue-in-cheek humour. "You've got to walk a fine line," Johnston told CBC Hamilton, comparing his approach to teasing a family member. "I can make fun of Hamilton because I love it."
"Hamilton gets shown in a certain light, but it doesn't get shown in this light," he said. "It's a loving light, but also judgmental and critical. It's like I'm Hamilton's grandmother."
Johnston interviewed former Ticats kicker Paul Osbaldiston
That method is on full display in a two-part Ticats episode in which Johnston attends a game and talks to fans about loving Hamilton's only major sports team, even when it lets you down.
In that episode, he talks to Ticat legend Paul Osbaldiston. Johnston recounted walking out of a game in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals after the Ticats lost the lead, then running back as he heard cheers. Osbaldiston had kicked a 54-yard field goal for the win.
Osbaldiston appeared emotional as he said he wished he could play just one more game.
"It was a sweet moment," Johnston said, adding it was strange to be interviewing one of his heroes.
Hamilton music promoter Lou Molinaro told CBC Hamilton he also had an emotional experience on the show.
He said he's been Johnston's fan for "many years," describing the artist as the "punk rock version of Stompin' Tom Connors."
Johnston is one of his favourite Canadian performers, Molinaro said, because he makes art that's amusing but does serious topics justice.
For an episode about gentrification and how Hamilton has changed, Johnston took Molinaro to the restaurant that used to be Miolinaro's music venue This Ain't Hollywood on James Street N.
It closed in 2020 and going back left Molinaro with a lump in his throat, he said, adding sometimes he feels guilty about moving on when he did.
At one point, the pair locked eyes and Molinaro could see Johnston was sad too, he said, adding it was probably the most sincere moment they've had together and he was "honoured" to take part in the series.
Ham Jam was directed by Douglas Nayler Jr. of Quiet Ghost Inc. In a message, he told CBC Hamilton Johnston's ability to balance light and dark elements is a big part of why Nayler wanted to work with him. "I really love when we can make that turn and really land it, because I think it can really disarm the viewer and connect emotionally. You're laughing, you're laughing, then all of a sudden it's like 'Oh damn, I'm actually feeling something.'"
The premise of one of the new episodes is Johnston pitching a food show in which he and his cousin try to tour multiple classic Hamilton food spots in 24 hours, including Hutch's and Grandad's Donuts.
As the episode continues, Johnston starts to transform into food TV personality Guy Fieri. Things get psychedelic as the viewer is transported into Johnston's subconscious, where he fights a wrestler.
Johnston said he didn't manage to eat all the food in 24 hours, but said he ate more than he thinks Guy Fieri would have.
While getting body slammed by a wrestler hurt more than he expected, Johnston said it was nice to showcase local spots that might not get their flowers when people discuss Hamilton's restaurant scene.
That's a big part of Johnston's music too, which highlights places throughout the province.
Johnston working on 'miserable' new record
"Just because something's only big in one small place doesn't mean it doesn't have value," he said. "You just need that one person who recognizes the location of the Tim Hortons in North Bay to make the song worthwhile."
Johnston will be doing backyard shows this summer and said he'll be releasing a new album soon.
"It's a huge bummer. I feel bad for people listening to it," he said. "It's going to be called I Don't Know Who Needs to Hear This Right Now, But They're Never Coming Back and You're Going to Die Alone. And all the songs are just miserable."
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